Some causes: smoking (from the nicotine); fade creams with hydroquinone (which helps lighten the appearance of dark age spots); constantly wearing nail polish without a base coat (which can discolor the nail plate).

Visit SmokeFree.gov for tips on quitting smoking. If you use a hydroquinone cream, Dr. Daniel suggests wearing gloves to apply it. Always use a base coat before adding color and let nails breathe for at least a day between manicures.

Contain vertical ridges

There’s no scientific reason for the ridges that run from your cuticle to nail tip, says Dr. Daniel. What we do know, however, is that the ridges deepen with age, especially after 40, and they usually don’t indicate health issues.

It may appear after you’ve been ill, taken certain drugs (as in chemotherapy), or had a baby or major surgery. These traumas to your body can cause hormonal changes that affect the growth of the nail plate.

As you recover, it will grow out or disappear. But to help cuticles and nails get back to normal, Dr. Daniel recommends applying a moisture-rich cream before bedtime; cover your hands with cotton gloves or socks.

My favorite nail polish would have to be Jessica because years ago that's what Toni used to use on my nails and they always looked great.

Here's the steps of doing your own manicure right from Jessica Nail's website RIGHT HERE